Depression

Depression

By Marcos Otero, Gulf Coast Immediate Care Center, Fort Walton Beach

Time is so fleeting… This month a gentleman I knew as a friend and brother passed away. It brought sorrow to my heart, tears to my eyes, and feelings of sadness. These feelings are very common to all of us. We all have sorrow after a death or a traumatic experience. It is when the sadness overwhelms us that there can be problems.

Depression is a serious medical illness affecting an estimated 15 million American adults. Symptoms of depression may last for 2 weeks or more, occurring nearly every day. The symptoms can include:

• A depressed mood most of the day (feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or on the verge of tears)
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
• Weight loss or weight gain.
• Decreases or increases in appetite.
• Difficulty sleeping or being overly tired.
• Restlessness or feeling slowed down.
• Fatigue or a loss of energy.
• Feeling worthless or guilty.
• A lack of concentration or difficulty with decision making.
• Increased alcohol use.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

If you have any of these feeling there are treatments. If you are already being treated and still have these problems your antidepressant may not be working well enough. Do not wait to seek out treatment if you feel overwhelmed.